Fulbright U.S. Student applications for 2025-2026 continue to be reviewed as stated on Competition & Selection webpage. Any updates about application status will be communicated to the applicant over email.

2026-2027 Competition Deadline: Tuesday October 7, 2025 at 5 pm Eastern Time

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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

France

4 Fulbright-University of Bordeaux Doctoral Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
September Start
Grant Length
6-10 Months
Award Type
Study/Research Partnership Award
Award Profile

Up to four awards are offered to students enrolled in a doctoral program in the United States to pursue research for their thesis at the University of Bordeaux. Candidates may carry out research projects in any of the disciplines represented at the University of Bordeaux's doctoral schools.

The University of Bordeaux is home to 56,000 students, with 8 doctoral schools, 70 research laboratories, 9 clusters of excellence, and 5 laboratories of excellence. The University was awarded the Campus of Excellence label by the French Government in 2011 for its performance in research and innovation in training.

Grant Length
6-10 Months
Grant Period
September Start

 

 

Orientation
In-Country Orientation

Grantees will be required to attend a mandatory 1- to 2-day in-country orientation in late September, and a 2-day mid-year conference in February (organized by the Fulbright Commission in France).

Candidate Profile

Students enrolled in a doctoral program in the United States

What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?

Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.

Being a Fulbrighter in France is an unforgettable experience! When not engaged in their project, Fulbrighters enjoy the benefits of the French lifestyle: wonderful food, excellent life-work balance, and enthusiasm for lively debate and discussion. We encourage Fulbrighters to travel the country (and discover its many amazing heritage sites, museums, landscapes, and varied society), and to get involved in community service or other local activities. They are thus able to build strong cross cultural ties between France and the United States.

It is important to note, however, that while the Fulbright Commission is dedicated to assisting Fulbrighters as much as possible to make their transition to France as smooth as possible, Fulbrighters are responsible for securing their own housing and making other administrative arrangements themselves. We recommend that Fulbrighters prepare their stay well ahead of time.

For more information on daily life in France, see https://www.usa.campusfrance.org/daily-life.

Quotes from Fulbright-Université de Bordeaux alumni:

"My Fulbright experience was a catalyst of new opportunities that will substantially continue to impact my future for years to come."

"What began as a dissertation case study using published material has grown immensely over the course of my Fulbright experience. I've gained access to recent and unpublished materials,  learned about French geography and landscape through experience, and gained new methodologies for inquiry from the specialties of my host institution. The year has opened a  new avenue of research contacts and potential future collaborations for me, and I hope to continue growing my connection with French archaeology and archaeologists moving into the next stages of my career."

"The Fulbright program gave me the freedom to pursue my research how I wanted and make significant, lasting connections with researchers in my field."

Eligibility
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Dual citizens of this country are eligible
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
10 Months

Doctoral candidates must not have obtained their PhD before completing the proposed Fulbright grant period in France. Otherwise, they should plan on applying to the scholar program.

Degree Level of Applicant
  • Doctoral
Special Application Instructions

In the Fulbright online application, please select University of Bordeaux Doctoral Research Award from the Award Name drop-down menu.

Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form

If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.

Recommended

Additional Information: French language proficiency is recommended, commensurate with the requirements of the project. In the Fulbright online application, applicants should include the Language Self-Evaluation and a Foreign Language Evaluation by a professional language instructor in relation to their language proficiency.

Foreign Language Proficiency Level by Grant Start

If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Required, applicants must have the following proficiency level by the start of the grant period. If a Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is Recommended, applicants are encouraged but not required to have the following level by the start of the grant period.

Novice

For candidates who will be conducting research in an English-speaking lab, no particular level of French is expected (although we welcome a commitment to taking language courses prior to departure and/or in country). For candidates who will be conducting research in a French-speaking environment, they should demonstrate at least an intermediate level of French. 

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation

It is the applicant's responsibility to secure affiliation with an institution or research unit attached to the University of Bordeaux. A letter of affiliation should be submitted with the application. The letter should be signed by the director of the research laboratory (“directeur du laboratoire”).

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition covered in grant benefits
Award Benefits
  • A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
  • International travel benefits
  • Accident & sickness health benefits
  • 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
  • 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

1450 monthly stipend amount in
€ [Euro]
One-Time Allowances

This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.

1200 in
€ [Euro]

All Fulbright grantees receive 1200 Euros in travel allowance.

Additional Grant Benefits
  • Mid-year seminar
Estimated Cost of Living

Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.

The Université de Bordeaux guide for visiting international researchers provides information on cost of living. Download link here.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Housing Arrangements

The Fulbright Commission provides grantees with a guide to life in France that includes resources and links on finding housing.

Valerie Martin, Fulbright-Université de Bordeaux alumna 2023-2024 at her lab in Bordeaux

A person presses a leaf into paper.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EUR@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://fulbright-france.org/en
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Charlotte Goodwin: cgoodwin@fulbright-france.org
Additional Online Resources
Presentation of the University of Bordeaux: https://www.u-bordeaux.fr/en
Directory of the Doctoral Schools at the University of Bordeaux: https://doctorat.u-bordeaux.fr/en
Directory of research units at the University of Bordeaux: https://www.u-bordeaux.fr/en/research/research-organisation
Welcome center for international researchers: https://www.u-bordeaux.fr/en/international/come-to-bordeaux/international-phd-students/welcome-to-bordeaux